Point-of-care testing (POCT): Current techniques and future perspectives

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a laboratory-medicine discipline that is evolving rapidly in analytical scope and clinical application. In this review, we first describe the state of the art of medical-laboratory tests that can be performed near the patient. At present, POCT ranges from basic blood-glucose measurement to complex viscoelastic coagulation assays. POCT shortens the time to clinical decision-making about additional testing or therapy, as delays are no longer caused by transport and preparation of clinical samples, and biochemical-test results are rapidly available at the point of care. Improved medical outcome and lower costs may ensue.Recent, evolving technological advances enable the development of novel POCT instruments. We review the underlying analytical techniques. If new instruments are not yet in practical use, it is often hard to decide whether the underlying analytical principle has real advantage over former methods. However, future utilization of POCT also depends on health-care trends and new areas of application. But, even today, it can be assumed that, for certain applications, near-patient testing is a useful complement to conventional laboratory analyses.     

Structure, solution chemistry, antiproliferative actions and protein binding properties of non-conventional platinum(II) compounds with sulfur and phosphorus donors

Twelve Pt(II) complexes with cis-PtP(2)S(2) pharmacophores (where P(2) refers to two monodentate or one bidentate phosphane ligand and S(2) is a dithiolato ligand) were prepared, characterized and evaluated as potential antiproliferative agents. The various compounds were first studied from the structural point of view; afterward, their solubility properties as well as their solution behaviour were analyzed in detail. Antiproliferative properties were specifically evaluated against A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells, either resistant or sensitive to cisplatin. For comparison purposes similar studies were carried out on four parent cis-dichloro bisphosphane Pt(II)complexes. On the whole, the cis-PtP(2)S(2) compounds displayed significant antiproliferative properties while the cis-PtP(2)Cl(2) (cis-dichloro bisphosphane Pt(II)) compounds revealed quite poor biological performances. To gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms of these bisphosphane Pt(II) compounds, the reactions of selected complexes against the model protein cytochrome c were investigated by ESI-MS and their adduct formation explored. A relevant reactivity with cyt c was obtained only for cis-PtP(2)Cl(2) compounds, whereas cis-PtP(2)S(2) compounds turned out to be nearly unreactive. The obtained results are interpreted and discussed in the frame of the current knowledge of anticancer platinum compounds and their structure-activity-relationships. The observation of appreciable antiproliferative effects for the relatively inert cis-PtP(2)S(2) compounds strongly suggests that these compounds will undergo specific activation within the cellular environment.     

Engineering of a redox protein for DNA-directed assembly

Engineered enzyme conjugate of the small laccase enzyme from Streptomyces coelicolor and zinc finger DNA binding domain from Zif268 is demonstrated to bind double stranded DNA in a site specific manner while retaining enzymatic activity.     

First examples of oxaphosphirane pentacarbonylchromium(0) and -molybdenum(0) complexes: synthesis, structures and reactions

Synthesis of the first oxaphosphirane chromium(0) and molybdenum(0) complexes of the type [{(R(1)PCH(R(2))-O}M(CO)(5)] (R(1) = C(5)Me(5)) (8a-e, 15a-e) and (R(1) = CH(SiMe(3))(2)) (9a-e, 16a-e) via reaction of dichloro(organo)- (1, 2, 10, 11) and chloro(organo)phosphane complexes (3,4,12) with lithium bases and aldehydes 7a-e is reported. Furthermore, bicyclic 1,3-oxaphospholane complexes 17 and 18 have been obtained via O-protonation of oxaphosphirane complexes 8a and 15a with HCl. All complexes were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric investigations and, in addition, single-crystal X-ray structures of complexes 8a-e, 9a,c, 15a,b,e, 16a-c, 17, 18 are presented and discussed.     

Highly enantioselective syntheses of heterocycles via intramolecular Ir-catalyzed allylic amination and etherification

[reaction: see text] Enantioselective Ir-catalyzed intramolecular allylic aminations and etherifications are described. Up to 97% ee was achieved using catalysts prepared by in situ activation of mixtures of phosphorus amidites and [Ir(COD)Cl]2. Sequential aminations of bis-allylic carbonates, involving an inter- followed by an intramolecular reaction, gave trans-N-benzyl-2,5-divinylpyrrolidine and trans-N-benzyl-2,6-divinylpiperidine with > or = 99% ee. New phosphorus amidites as well as improved conditions for intermolecular aminations are reported.     

Aluminum-doped ZnO nanoparticles: gas-phase synthesis and dopant location

Printed electronics, as an extension to conventional electronics, has grown considerably for decades. At this moment, therefore, tracing the development of this technology up to the present will provide researchers and R&D planners with better understanding of the technology’s evolving characteristics and insights for further R&D directions. This paper carries out two bibliographic analyses to study the technology development life cycle and the technological knowledge within the area of printed electronics. First, we fit a growth curve to yearly patent registration data, thereby calculating several indicators, including the current technological maturity ratio, the number of potential future patents and the expected remaining life. Second, we identify the core and brokering technology classes within the overall technology network of printed electronics by combining patent co-classification analysis and social network analysis. As a result, we could obtain some findings from the inventional point of view; the technological development of printed electronics has entered the maturity stage, and the expected remaining life was 8.5 years as of the beginning of 2013. In addition, we identified several technology areas that have the high importance to act as both core and brokering technologies, apparatus for metal working, anti-inductive structures, and electronic circuit control systems.